If the country hadn’t taken notice of the UNC women’s soccer program before the season, it has now. Following a spotless start through two preseason and two regular season matches, the Tar Heels ascended to the No. 1 ranking in this week’s United Soccer Coaches poll, jumping nine spots from their preseason No. 10 ranking. It’s the first time the team has been ranked No. 1 since November of 2020.

Carolina received all eight first place votes in the poll. Just behind them at No. 2 is defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Florida State. The Seminoles dropped one spot after a 1-0-1 start in which they tied with South Carolina. The Gamecocks, who knocked UNC out of last season’s NCAA Tournament, rose from No. 12 to No. 4.

Other ACC teams in the poll are No. 5 Duke, No. 8 Virginia and No. 18 Clemson.

UCLA, who Carolina will face in its next home match on September 4, rose seven spots from No. 13 to No. 6. Between now and then, the Tar Heels will play three matches away from Dorrance Field, the first of which comes in Austin against Texas on Thursday. The Longhorns received votes in this week’s poll but were not ranked.

For a full look at the poll, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

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